N-Trance Australia Tour Interview

N-Trance Australia Tour Interview

Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth formed N-Trance in 1990 after meeting at the Oldham College, where they were both studying sound engineering. Initially O'Toole and Longworth, along with four or five other students, used their college's recording studio for free recordings and use of equipment. Their first demo tape was a remix of the theme tune to Roobarb, a children's television show. The next record was a more credible trance track, consisting mainly of sampled music and called Back To The Bass.

Within days of being recorded, the song had caught the attention of Dead Dead Good Records (owned by the manager of The Charlatans) who wanted to sign the record, but shortly before signing they were outbid by Pete Waterman's 380 Records (a sub-label of PWL). Following the interest from record labels, the band and their manager decided a new band name was needed. Previously, they had been using a variety of monikers such as Quartech, but eventually settled on signing their record contract as N-Trance.

However, problems with the sample clearance prevented Back To The Bass from ever being released as a single. The band continued to write and record music and it was decided a female vocalist was needed for future records, so sixteen year old Kelly Llorenna was drafted in. Set You Free was recorded in PWL Studios in 1992, however due to troubles within their record label, this song was not released as a single either. N-Trance then chose to buy themselves out of their recording contract with 380 Records after only one year with the company, signing to a new label, All Around the World.

By now, N-Trance had developed their live shows and were gaining some popularity, and on their new label Set You Free was finally released in 1993, but failed to enter the Top 40, reaching #83 in the charts. A year later Set You Free was re-released achieving a higher chart position of #39. N-Trance's next single was a Eurodance song called Turn Up The Power which featured vocals from Rachel McFarlane of Loveland, and a rap by T-1K, reaching #23 on the charts.

After a few years of performing live in the UK, N-Trance's popularity and the reception towards Set You Free had increased significantly. The record was in popular demand, and after a third release of the song in 1995, the single became a huge hit, being played by television and radio stations. It reached #2 in the charts and was certified Platinum in the UK after selling over 600 000 copies. The single was also released in other European countries and Australia.

The group recorded their first full-length album, Electronic Pleasure, in November 1995, which featured seven of the group's ever-expanding roster of vocalists (including David Grant), and musicians such as Vinny Burns and Snake Davis. Similarly, N-Trance's musical range expanded, embracing rap, disco and other styles in its scope. The group's next single, a surprising cover of the Bee Gees hitStayin' Alive, was not only a massive international hit but also featured a vocalist who would help define N-Trance's sound in the future, the remarkable Ricardo Da Force, former rapper of the KLF. Upon its release in the UK, it debuted at # 2 and internationally became one of the biggest UK exports of 1995, reaching #1 in Australia and being top 5 in a number of European charts.

The release of further commercially successful singles afforded N-Trance the possibility of building their own recording studio and in 1996 Deep Blue was born. They spent the following year and a half recording their second full-length album, Happy Hour, which was released in 1999.

Hit singles from the album included cover versions of Rod Stewart'sDo Ya Think I'm Sexy?, Ottawan's D.I.S.C.O and the hardcore techno clatter of The Mind of the Machine, which featured the actor Steven Berkoff. A Best of album entitled The Best of N-Trance 1992-2002 was released in early 2001, backed by a trance remix of Set You Free which reached #4.

A couple of year ago the group released The Mind Of The Machineas their third album. Two new tracks, Free Running and The Earth Is Dying, were recorded for the album to go with the recordings previously made in 1997. The album was released as digital download only. That same year, the group announced they were re-inventing themselves with the new singer Lynsey-Jane Barrow and with the return of Dale Longworth.

With rumours in the air about a fourth album, N-Trance keep pushing the boundaries with their epic sounds, spectacular vocalists and overall brilliant performances.

N-Trance are touring Australia this September alongside Eiffel 65. Two of the best 90s dance acts bringing the party down under.

Australian Tour Dates:
Thursday 20th September 2012 The Palace, Melbourne
Friday 21st of September 2012 The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
Saturday 22nd of September 2012 Fat As Butter Festival, Newcastle
Wednesday 26th of September - UTAS Uni Bar, Hobart
Thursday 27th of September - HQ Complex, Adelaide
Friday 28th of September 2012 Metropolis, Fremantle WA

Saturday 29th of September 2012 Selina's, Coogee Bay Hotel
Tickets: BigTix.com.au and Oztix.com.au

Interview with Ben and Lynsey-Jane Barrow

Question: What are you looking forward to most about coming to Australia?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: We're looking forward to it; it's going to be amazing!


Question: You're performing with Eiffel 65 - are you fans of the guys?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: Yes! I absolutely love their stuff, it takes me back to my youth, in the 90's and I can't wait to hear the guys!


Question: What should audiences expect from your show?

Ben: Audiences should be expecting a mix-match of some of our old stuff including the great, classic hits and we'll be bringing in some of our new stuff, as well. The show will contain loads of energy with new vibes.


Question: Why did you decide to join N-Trance in 2009?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: I was actually travelling around Australia, backpacking and somebody told me N-Trance were looking for a singer so I came back to the UK and took my chances. Singing is something I've always done, I've always been in girl bands and a part of dance projects and N-Trance was the perfect opportunity, for me and I'm so glad everything has gone so well.


Question: What have N-Trance been up to, the past few years?

Ben: Reinvention and we've been touring; we never really stopped touring. We've always done lots of shows. We've been working on the new album which has a great eclectic mix including our dance-style music and more current style, it's going to be great.


Question: When will the album be released?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: We're hoping, all going well with this tour that it will come out, early next year. We're really testing the water, on the tour, with our new stuff and it depends how it goes but there definitely will be a new single released.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel and walking away from the music industry?

Ben: Never ever, I love music too much and I love performing - I've been doing it for so long.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: I think we both love the recording side because it's a very organic process but it's such a different experience being on stage, it's very satisfying to perform the tracks that you've written and worked on for so long. They both go hand in hand and I personally love both, I couldn't choose between the two.


Question: Where has the inspiration for the new tracks, come from?

Ben: Everyday life including current events and what people go through, there is always a situation to write about, every day.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: I was an 80's and 90's child and for me it was people like Madonna and Kylie Minogue - they inspired me to start singing. Once I got involved in the music industry I haven't stopped and I can't imagine doing anything else, with my life.

Question: Which artists are you currently listening to?

Ben: I'm listening to a lot of UK Hip-Hop such as Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah. I love that they've bought their own kind of brand of street to the pop music arena - the masses listen and they like it! Dizzee Rascal was wicked at the London Olympics Opening Ceremony and it's great that he was there because his literally from around the corner!


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: For me personally there are a lot of great female singers out there and at the moment Jessie J is someone that I'd love to be able to sing with because her voice is outstanding.


Question: What's a typical day like, for you?

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: It's a mixture of recording, rehearsing and then we will shoot off to a gig and then it's back to recording and rehearsing. We're very busy at the moment! Rehearsing for the Australian shows is our number one priority at the minute.


Question: What message would you like to say to your Australian fans?

Ben: We can't wait to get there and we're going to bring loads of energy and fresh vibes!

Lynsey-Jane Barrow: I can't wait to get back to Australia; it's been a few years! Can't wait to get back and have a few drinks and laughs with people! Come down to the show because you'll really enjoy it!


Interview by Brooke Hunter